Presentation Secondary School Listowel – Winners in MTU Sustainable Product Design Competition
Third Year students from Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, claimed first prize in ‘BIOBODY’, a sustainable body product design competition in conjunction with Science Foundation Ireland and The Circular Bioeconomy Research Group (CIRCBIO) at Munster Technological University (MTU).
The winning team members Eimear Buckley, Noelle Dillon, Meabh Kennelly and Katie Trant were presented with their award by Ms Eve Savage, MTU Programme Manager. At the award presentation Eve noted that each of the entries from Presentation Listowel were very impressive and that the winning submission from Eimer, Noelle, Meabh & Katie which they entitled ‘Urtica Rubi’ was exceptional!
All participants were presented with certificates from MTU on the day.
The ‘BIOBODY’ project encourages students to engage in an interactive design sprint, working in teams, they create new biobased product ranges for the personal care industry. Students learn about the bioeconomy and the European funded associated projects. The programme focuses on the use of biobased ingredients, technologies and packaging solutions and the myriad of career opportunities that the bioeconomy presents. Students also develop transversal skills such as teamwork, creativity, and communication with the support of engaging presentations and design tools delivered by the CIRBIO team. Students in the school have performed very well in similar workshops with MTU in recent years as the initiative was initially introduced into the school as part of the Transition Year programme and is now an integral part the school extracurricular calendar.
Ms Norma Dowling, lead teacher for the programme in Pres. Listowel said ‘students found the experience both interesting and enjoyable and that it provided them with great inspiration for their own product. It helped them understand the bioeconomy and to see the advantages of the circular economy. They felt that it was a revelation to learn how they could use everyday nature, that is all around them, to provide a product that will not harm nature or increase climate change, an issue that is especially important for all involved’.
Pictured: Katie Trant, Noelle Dillion, Meabh Kennelly & Eimear Buckley (winners of ‘BIOBODY’, a sustainable body product design competition in conjunction with Science Foundation Ireland and The Circular Bioeconomy Research Group (CIRCBIO) at Munster Technological University (MTU))
Norma Dowling (TY coordinator Pres Listowel) Eve Savage, MTU Programme Manager, Catherine Kennedy & Jessica Keane (Science Teachers, Pres Listowel)
